Sad news: It's true - Azalea is closed

[Robin Garr]

Sources confirm it, and more to the point, the restaurant's answering machine is playing this poignant message:

"Unfortunately at this time we are closing our doors.

Thank you so muich for 13 years of patronage.

We look forward to a new restaurant in this location coming soon."

This seems like one of those almost-natural cases where they had their run and it was time to go - it just seemed to have gotten stale in recent years. But, we'll all have fond memories of Azalea at its best!

[Robin Garr]

we'll all have fond memories of Azalea at its best!

No kidding! Heck, I still miss Bauer's.

And what was the name of the short-lived Spanish place that came between Bauer's and Azalea at that location? I'm thinking that someone from Jack Fry's might have been behind it.

Anyway, I'm told that there's an active hunt for a buyer going on, and I think the venue, the location and the lovely patio all add up to a restaurant property too alluring to stay dark for long.

It was La Paloma and I'm pretty sure SUsan Seiler owned it.

Man, I was just racking my brains trying to remember the place before Azalea as well.

Somebody call Fernando and let him know that Mojito's would be a perfect fit for that space! They already need the room.

I agree with you, Robin, that this property will likely not remain vacant for long! However, as I posted in the speculative thread, I'm sad, but not surprised, given that after the menu changes, hubby and I didn't enjoy the menu anymore and haven't returned since - and that means over 10 months. If we weren't the only ones, I can see where things went downhill

Still, I hate to see any place go under, for the employees sake especially. I hope that the next operators will make a good run of it!

[Robin Garr]

It was La Paloma and I'm pretty sure SUsan Seiler owned it.

Bingo! Got it in one, Ralph. Thanks! It's a little fuzzy in my mind because it opened not long before we bailed out of Gannet-land and moved to NYC, and Azalea came in just about the time we moved back home. La Paloma's run must have been 1989-1994 or thereabouts, coinciding pretty much exactly with my detour to the Big Apple.

Azalea's building vacant?!?

Great location for Mojito's!!! Bigger bar...more seating!!

[Robin Garr]

Azalea's building vacant?!?

Great location for Mojito's!!! Bigger bar...more seating!!

Great concept! I suspect that the combination of lease requirements and all the effort that Fernando put into renovating the Holiday Manor space will keep them there for a while, though.

This seems like one of those almost-natural cases where they had their run and it was time to go - it just seemed to have gotten stale in recent years. But, we'll all have fond memories of Azalea at its best!

Very true. There are many dining options at that price point these days. We have had many great experiences with Azalea at lunch, brunch, dinner, bar, and private parties. The closing makes me sad and we will miss it.

Would be a great location for a new French restaurant and cafe.

It was La Paloma and I'm pretty sure SUsan Seiler owned it.

Bingo! Got it in one, Ralph. Thanks! It's a little fuzzy in my mind because it opened not long before we bailed out of Gannet-land and moved to NYC, and Azalea came in just about the time we moved back home. La Paloma's run must have been 1989-1994 or thereabouts, coinciding pretty much exactly with my detour to the Big Apple.

Glad you brought that up. I truly enjoyed La Paloma, much more so than its successor. Susan did a great job with it.

La Paloma was always one of our favorites. We lived in the condos on the hill off Zorn back then and went to La Paloma often.

It was La Paloma and I'm pretty sure SUsan Seiler owned it.

I absolutely looooooooooooved La Paloma!! I still have a copy of their lunch menu! I wish I had their dinner menu, too. Are you saying they were owned by the same owner as Jack Fry's at the time? That would be so ironic, because I was new to Louisville then (early 90's), and fairly new to finer dining, but always said that La Paloma was my favorite summer restaurant, and Jack Fry's was my favorite winter restaurant. I do remember when La Paloma closed, and if what I heard was correct, it was not handled in a very professional manner at all, and came as a complete surprise to all the employees, including mgt. Showed up for work, and found the sign on the door stating they were closed. This is what I heard at the time, and it's still hearsay, but regardless, I hope the owners of Azalea's gave their employees some warning.

Anyway, I'm sorry to hear about Azalea's, but it's really not that big of a surprise. Anxious to see what goes in that space - it's one of the very best patios in town, IMO.

I found this, and now I'm confused. Was Azalea truly a local restaurant? http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... i_15481510